This study examines the differences in the narrative framing in Aftonbladet

and Rättegångspoddens portrayal of the murder of Tove Tönnies. The

research examines differences in the portrayal between the female victim and

the female perpetrators. Previous studies have shown that both female

victims and perpetrators are portrayed in media according to stereotypes. The

methodology employed in this study is a qualitative content analysis. The

analysis is built on a coding scheme with different categories that has been

selected based on our chosen theoretical framework as in, framing theory,

narrative construction, narrative identity and gender theory. The analysis is

based on empirical material from each medium, a total of 49 articles from

Aftonbladet and 3 episodes from Rättegångspodden. The empirical material

covers the period from Tove’s disappearance to a few months after the two

perpetrators were sentenced to imprisonment. The results of the analysis

show that the structures of the narrative differs between Aftonbladet and

Rättegångspodden. The key difference lies in the approach of the two media

outlets. Aftonbladet’s journalistic focus lies on a objective perspective and a

formal language, but also on rapid, sensationalist news updates, emphasizing

striking headlines and emotionally charged words. Rättegångspodden, on the

other hand, concentrates on constructing detailed narratives around both the

perpetrators and the victim. These individuals are carefully established and

portrayed, with the perpetrators even given the opportunity to speak for

themselves, recounting their version of the events on the night of the murder.

The podcast’s most distinctive narrative structure is its use of dramatization,

achieved through editing, music, tone, and choice of language. However,

both contain evident portrayals of the victim and the perpetrators. The

portrayal of all the women in the narrative aligns with typical stereotypes in

media representations of crime. Tove, as the victim, is portrayed as innocent,

while the perpetrators are depicted as unusual offenders. Johanna was

portrayed as a stereotypical female murderer but also exhibited traits

associated with male murderers, such as being described as aggressive. Maja,

on the other hand, was depicted more like a victim, with her sadness and

sense of despair receiving the most emphasis.